Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 19 Going home The same day we climbed to the cave of Hira, we spontaneously decided to go back to the haram in Makkah for Maghrib and Esha. Just the travel there and back was an adventure on its own – including 2 busses each way, being … More Hajj Chronicles Part 20: Reflections before the big day

Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 18 Education As stated last time, Aziziah was a place where we hoped to disconnect from comforts and prepare ourselves for the biggest 5 days of our lives. It was also the place where our tour group finally kicked in with Islamic programmes. Up to that point, … More Hajj Chronicles – Part 19: Ascension

Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 17 It’s not about the feelings During our stay in Makkah, our last tawaaf right near the Kabah came a few nights before we left. I hated it. It was so full and uncomfortable that my focus was not on dua, dhikr, or spiritual thoughts – but … More Hajj Chronicles Part 18: Joke’s on you

Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 16 The crowning moment I’ve heard that everyone gets a ‘moment’ in Makkah – some special experience where they receive inspiration, or some kind of epiphany. On one of our last mornings there, mine came. For fajr that morning, I’d managed to get to my usual 4th … More Hajj Chronicles Part 17: Memories for the heart

Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 15 Regrets My biggest regret from my Hajj journey was the time I wasted in Makkah. Both my wife and I got extremely lazy (me more than her, I believe). We’d go late to the masjid – and sometimes didn’t even bother trying to get in since … More Hajj Chronicles Part 16: Smiles and frowns

Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 14 Early sights Like Madinah, there are many historical sites to see in Makkah. We covered a number of these in two trips – the first being a bus ziyarah to the Cave of Thowr and Mount Arafah, among others. The cave, of course, is where the … More Hajj Chronicles Part 15: Things to see

Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 13 Changes The contrast between Madinah and Makkah is instantly noticeable: whereas Madinah is calm, peaceful, and a place for solitude – even despite large crowds, Makkah is quite the opposite. It’s very urban – very much a big city: fast-paced, always busy, dirty, taxis hooting, and … More Hajj Chronicles Part 14: Melting pot

Previous posts in this series: Parts 1 to 12 Strength One of the blessings of the journey of Hajj – both in Madinah and Makkah – is that the crowds are so big that you have to go very early if you want to get a good spot in the masjid. And with our first … More Hajj Chronicles Part 13: Lift off